Harley-Davidson fashion show aims to break open stereotypes

The lights were low, the spotlights were bright and the runway was set. DJ Kenny The Promo Guy picked up the microphone and started the show.

Samantha Madison

NEW YORK MILLS — The lights were low, the spotlights were bright and the runway was set.

DJ Kenny The Promo Guy picked up the microphone and started the show.

But it wasn’t the typical run of the mill fashion show — there were men and women alike dressed head to toe in Harley-Davidson gear.

The show is what Joe Carbone hopes will kick off his new endeavor of being the sole owner of the shop on Commercial Drive in New York Mills. The goal was to show off the new clothes and get people through the door.

“The goal of the show is to bring people into Harley that wouldn’t normally come in here,” said marketing manager Marcie Bartnick. “We wanted to open it up to the public so people can understand that we are more than just motorcycles and we’re not a scary place to be — we like to have fun — and to introduce people to the culture.”

And not only was the crowd diverse, but the models were from all walks of life.

Take the Rev. Jim Cesta, priest at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Blessed Sacrament Parish in Utica, who was happy to be a part of the night.

He walked down the runway sporting a brown leather jacket, black and red gloves, a vintage-style T-shirt, skull cap and brown leather boots, while carrying a cigar and Utica Club.

At the end of his run, Cesta held up a sign that said “Smile, God loves you,” because he wanted to make sure that everyone got a positive message from the event.

“I’m on the runway every Sunday, when you think about it, with a little bit of a different outfit,” he said. “This crowd, I’m reaching out to them. I always think of venues where I can get the word out.”

Richfield Springs resident Kerry Crane said he goes to all of the Harley Davidson store events, but this one definitely had more people in general as well as more people from different backgrounds.

“I thought there was quite a few more people here than any of the other nights,” Crane said.